Jamal top group with win over Russell

Sheikh Jamal DC players celebrate after defeating Sheikh Russell in tiebreaker in their Federation Cup match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday. — New Age photo

Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club moved into the quarter-finals of Federation Cup as Group B champions after beating Sheikh Russell Krira Chakra 4-1 in tiebreaker at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Friday.After the match ended goalless in the stipulated time, shootout was applied according to this year’s Federation Cup bylaws to decide that who would finish as group champions as both Jamal and Russell beat Farashganj Sporting Club by 3-0 margins in their respective group match. In tie-breaker Jamal scored four goals in a row while Russell failed to score twice in their first three attempts The Dhanmondi-based outfit will face Mohammedan Sporting Club in the first quarter-final on May 24 while Russell have to face Group C champions Chittagong Abahani in the second quarter-final the next day.Jamal keeper Samiul Islam was the hero by making two brilliant saves from Russell’s first penalty taker Nigerian defender Eleta Benjamin Jnr and third from Khalekuzzaman.Only Arup managed to score from the spot for Russell while Raphael Odoyin, Mohammad Alauddin, Zahed Parvez and Momodou Bah converted successfully to seal Jamal’s victory.Russell dominated the match in the stipulated time but failed to score in either half. Dawda Cesse wasted a great chance in the 35th minute when the Gambian forward broke into the penalty area before his powerful strike was blocked by Jamal keeper.Russell forward Sohel Mia wasted a big chance in the 56th minute when the young forward failed to connect on a neat cutback of Gambian striker Momodou Bah.Russell squandered the best chance of the match in the 73rd minute when Cesse’s goal-bound shot from the edge of the box hit the back of his own team-mate Fazley Rabbi at the middle of the box.